So, I left Atami Baien a few minutes past 12:00 and walked downhill for a while. On my way, I could see the Hatsushima Island very clearly. I passed by JR Kinomiya Station and kept strolling along the overhead railway, turned left at the second traffic signal, passed through the tunnel, and it was there, “Kinomiya Shrine”, in about 15 minutes from Atami Baien.

Kinomiya Shrine is the very guardian deity of Atami City and also known as one of the best “Power Spots” in Japan. The Power Spot indicates the special site where you can have supernatural energy, like, to halt the disease, or to change fortune for the better. Mt. Fuji is also regarded as one of them.

Now, the large Shinto shrine Gate with two huge flags definitely promised me something. I stepped into it. A humongous stone and a dignified tree showed up before me first. This shrine has supposedly about 1300 year history. I bowed to the stone, pressed my hands together ( this is how we pray to the gods ) against the tree and walked on the approach, expecting super duper energy.＾＾


I reached Honden main hall up the stairs in a few minutes. There, I saw dozens of people making wishes in front of Honden. I did as well, about which you’ll never know.＾＾

Kinomiya Shrine Honden main hall

By the way, in this shrine, there are two more shrines worshipped by the people.

One is called “Kinomiya Inari Shrine”, the god of agriculture and business, which can be traced back to The Fuhimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. You can find it just after the entrance gate.

The other is “Kinomiya Benzaiten Shrine”, the god of advancement and career success. It is on the right side of Honden main hall. They say that, in Edo Era, Okubo somebody came down this Benzaiten Shrine all the way from Edo ( Tokyo ), of course on foot, to worship this god and made it to one of the highest position in Tokugawa system.

Now, I’m on my way to the “Power Spot” ! Walking through the left of Honden, you may have an eccentric feeling and the next moment, you will get overwhelmed or stunned by the sight of humongous sacred tree ! More than 2000 years old ! ! The very spirit of all the nature in Japan, I thought. I walked around it, gazing on it as if I had found something supernatural in it.

By the way, there is a narrow trail around the tree. You know why ? Because they believe as follows ：
★If you go around the tree, you will live one year longer.
★If you go around wishing something in your mind, it will come true.
I learned the fact just after I’d came back, though I had lots of wishes.＾＾； Anyway, I would live 1 year longer. Good enough !＾＾

Next time, I’ll introduce “Kiunkaku”.

Bye for now !＾＾

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾